By Sue Danielson, health services

November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. In partnership with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, this year’s focus is on the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke as people without diabetes. This is because over time, high blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. The good news is that the steps you take to manage your diabetes can also help lower your chances of having heart disease or a stroke:

• Stop smoking or using other tobacco products.
• Manage your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
• Develop or maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as being more physically active and learning ways to manage stress.
• Take medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. It can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems if it’s not controlled.

• One in 10 Americans have diabetes, which is more than 30 million people. And another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• The good news? People who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes can lower their risk if they make healthy changes. Examples of healthy changes include eating healthy, getting more physical activity, and losing weight.